Nottingham Forest were left frustrated after a controversial VAR call denied them a potential winner in their goalless draw with Tottenham at the City Ground. With just over 20 minutes to go, Neco Williams appeared to have broken the deadlock, connecting with a Morgan Gibbs-White delivery and forcing the ball over the line, only for the goal to be chalked off after officials ruled he had used his hand in the process.
The Premier League’s match centre confirmed on social media that VAR had reviewed the on-field decision and concluded Williams made contact with the ball via his hand just before it crossed the line, resulting in a free-kick for Spurs rather than a goal for Forest. Speaking afterwards, Roberto De Zerbi said he hadn’t yet seen the replay and couldn’t offer a view on the incident.
Forest had gone into the game looking to build on a promising 2-2 draw with Liverpool the week before, with Oliver Glasner giving summer arrival Liam Delap his first start as the hosts chased a maiden league win of the campaign. The opening stages were scrappy, but Forest gradually settled, with Murillo and James McAtee both testing Tottenham’s back line as the home side grew into the match.
Spurs had the better of the early chances and will feel they should have led inside 20 minutes when Omar Marmoush was played clean through but dragged his shot wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. Forest hit back through Gibbs-White and McAtee, while Jair Cunha’s driven effort from distance whistled just past the crossbar. Gibbs-White then went close again before the break, latching onto a Delap through ball and forcing a save from Antonin Kinsky, though the effort was eventually flagged offside in a tight call.
The major flashpoint came in the second half when Williams headed home Gibbs-White’s clipped ball, triggering wild celebrations around the City Ground — celebrations that quickly turned to anger once VAR stepped in and disallowed the goal for handball. The decision left Forest supporters visibly furious with the officials, and the hosts ultimately had to settle for a point, still searching for their first Premier League win of the season.
